Guadalcanal Province on safety of downstream communities

The Guadalcanal province environmental health division continues to focus on carrying out water sampling from Kuare stream to Metapona downstream community.

Chief health inspector for the province James Rizu pointed out that the province is focusing on kuare stream which he said more vulnerable to contamination from Gold ridge Tailings Dam.

“We must concern on kuare stream which have high chance of being contaminated with the spillover of the Tailings dam.” He pointed out.

He said, Latest sampling activities was carried out two weeks ago and samples were already tested at the public health lab.

He said the results are strictly confidential at the moment which will be revealed later upon the responsible Permanent secretary’s (PS) advice.

 The chief health inspector alleged that reports of scratchy sensation on the skin reached Suva community clinic in north Guadalcanal. He said that villagers within the area should not use the river for bath. Not only that but he explained that water wells located at a reasonable distance away from the river are safer.

Meanwhile, Guadalcanal province Chief Health promotion Officer Aloysius Vakeke maintains that according to recent sampling results, water quality remains within World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard.

However he probes on the genuineness of the report due to sampling activities did not cover certain locations that could be unidentified holdups of elements.

 He said that the department has been advising concerned communities to stop using the river for consumption which means that creating sand wells on the bank is not a safe practice as well.

He furthers that live fish in the river are safe for consumption and borehole which are not covered by any recent flooding are also safe. Not only that but Guadalcanal Health Promotion department advises people living downstream to listen to advice from the Ministry of Health.

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Hope for drop outs at ACE schools: SITTC

HIGH SCHOOL drop outs still have hope of going further in their education by enrolling and undertake training under the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) system.

Owner of the Solomon Islands Technical Training Center (SITTC) one of  11 local ACE schools in town Mrs Janet Take told the paper yesterday  that SITTC has been helping school drop outs especial girls to undergo teachers training, learn  the Phonics reading system and attend educational conferences.

She said at SITTC drop outs become assistants for supervisors in classroom learning program while on the practical engagement for a year. Not only but will undergo two weeks training that enables trainee teachers to acquire qualification equivalent to Solomon Islands National University’s (SINU) diploma in teaching.

Mrs. Take said ACE qualification can be acquired after sitting an exam provided by southern Enterprises Australia.

Trainees who completed the ACE training and awarded with the Australian recommended qualification will also be able to do further studies, in Australia Pacific Technical College, SINU and teach in ACE schools as supervisors.

Meanwhile she said that mothers can also attend phonics training at SITTC in order to prepare their children at home prior to sending them to formal classes.

Furthermore, SITTC appeals for the government to also recognize ACE Teachers and assist with remuneration.

Anita Kaitu’u who graduated yesterday after completing a two weeks training on phonics reading system acknowledges achievement at SITTC.

“I would like to thank Mrs. Janet for the timely training that is provided to us during the last two weeks, and now today we witness our achievements. It is our great pleasure to note the continuous support from you towards our efforts to improve teaching, learning skills and knowledge on phonics reading system.” Ms Kaitu’u said.

“The skills and knowledge we have learned means that we can be able to apply in classes for the learning of our children in the Kindy and ABC classes for year three to year Six children without difficulties.”

“For some of us here who will continue teaching on the schools and those whom intended to run ACE schools in the near future, this training helps us to equip with the required skills and we feel confident that children will improve their learning ability in phonics reading system.”

“There are many ACE schools established in Solomon Islands, means more Supervisors but less training provided. Therefore I encourage more training to be conducted in the future to equip our supervisors to provide quality education for our children.” She added.

SITTC started as primary school in 2006. Mrs. Take furthers that the ACE school will begin vocational training in carpentry in July 2016.

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